Chamber News

Chamber welcomes new board members

The Chamber’s Virtual AGM took place in mid-October.

Three directors, Yadav Bhandari Everest Inn Group, Dave Millett DRF Consultants and Terri Johnson HR2HR Solutions stood down after many years’ service on the Board.

They will be greatly missed.

Two new directors joined:

Tajinder Bhambra, site Managing Director of Alcatel Submarine Networks UK in Greenwich. ASN is a wholly owned subsidiary of a French parent company ASN, part of the Nokia Group.

Mark Jenkinson, Director, Crystal Associates is a consultancy who help cities, communities, and businesses on the path to be smarter and more sustainable. Prior to setting up Crystal Associates, Mark spent 25 years in senior global roles at Siemens with a focus on sustainability and digitalisation of city infrastructure and industry. The SELCC Board is delighted to have such experienced business professionals as part of the team.

The race to Net Zero

The UK economy is legally bound to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2035 from today’s levels.

The Mayor of London

has also set ambitious aims for London to be a zerocarbon city by 2030. The five boroughs covered by the South East London Chamber of Commerce are also playing their part, as demonstrated by the Greener Greenwich Summit.

Businesses also need to play their part and act now to reduce their carbon emissions accordingly. According to the latest London Business 1000 survey by YouGov published in November 2021, nine in ten businesses (89%) are aware of the UK’s 2050 net zero target and over two-thirds of businesses (69%) are doing at least one activity to reduce their environmental impact. Instead of being seen as an additional burden, businesses - large and small - increasingly see the drive to net zero as an opportunity. An opportunity to reduce the impact of rising energy costs, an opportunity to attract and retain talent, an opportunity to be more competitive and win more business – all while impacting positively on the local community and helping to save the planet. Sounds good but you don’t know where to start or what to do next? The London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) has formed the ‘Environment, Sustainability & Green Growth’ (ESGG) Committee to support businesses on this journey. I have the pleasure of chairing this group, made up of organisations large and small, from a wide range of sectors across London. Our aim: to share good practice around four initial themes: jargon busting, green supply chains, sustainable finance, and sustainability in the built environment, helping London to be a centre of excellence in the approach to the environment, sustainability, and green growth. As an LCCI affiliate and local champion, the South East London Chamber of Commerce is keen to support your local business along the net zero / sustainability journey. If you need guidance or want to share the great stuff you are doing with others in the network, please drop us a line.

Email me on mark.jenkinson@crystal-associates.co.uk or SELCC office@selondonchamber.org

In the meantime, check out the London Chamber’s ESGG climate hub section which includes case studies and upcoming events, such as an interactive webinar ‘Sustainable Finance: The Green Frontier’ on 29th November.